2010 Illustrator Income Survey - Top-line Results

Over six-hundred illustrators responded to our initial income survey which is the first of its kind. We wanted to know what illustrator income was like country by country, region by region, city by city and are pleased with the response we received. While we’re still in the midst of digesting the data we wanted to present our top-line results. To make this easier to compare we converted all foreign income into US dollars based on June 2011 exchange rates and where we didn’t have significant responses we have not included either a high or low or average for that group.

All data reflects 2010 income from a variety of sources including commissioned illustration, education, graphic design, sales of prints, books and licensing. All data that was collected was provided by each individual and we rely on their accurate reporting. What we are presenting today is the overall statistics from our research.

Overall the highest income came from the United States, with two west coast illustrators netting $980,000 and $530,000 in income from a variety of sources including commissioned illustration, graphic design, animation and sales of books and prints. The top illustrators in the New York market made over $100,000 per annum. When looking beyond the US market, Canada’s top illustrator responding to the survey made $250,000, the United Kingdom’s top illustrator made $303,000, Europe’s—which included Germany, France, the Netherlands and Italy—at $360,000 and Asia’s—which included Japan, New Zealand and Australia was $140,000.

We will be offering a more complete picture of income by region, city, age group and the classifications of income in the near future. In the meantime here are our top-line results by age group, by country/region based on our six-hundred responses. Averages below are based on the number of responses by each age group. Actual numbers by age group will be available in the completed survey which will include highs and lows and a breakout of individual income by region and amount as well as percentages of the total—no names will be included.

USA
Average income in US $
18-24 = $12,908
25-34 = $46,717	High = $948,000	Low = $754
35-44 = $66,856	High = $241,597	Low = $5,000
45-54 = $69,536	High = $360,000	Low = $7,500
55+     = $70,181	High = $191,807	Low = $4,500

Canada
Average income in US $
18-24 = $23,325
25-34 = $47,808	High = $225,000	Low = $1,400
35-44 = $32,893	High = $100,000	Low = $9,800
45-54 = $68,500	High = $250,000	Low = $15,000
55+     = $57,666

United Kingdom
Average income in US $
18-24 = insignificant response
25-34 = $34,772	High = $303,430	Low = $6,600
35-44 = $55,368	High = $196,800	Low = $3,800
45-54 = $37,815	High = $77,100	Low = $19,700
55+     = $59,45	High = $101,700	Low = $57,400

Europe
Average income in US $
18-24 = insignificant response
25-34 = $31,113	High = $360,000	Low = $3,600
35-44 = $46,714	High = $151,200	Low = $10,000
45-54 = $37,815	High = $93,600	Low = $21,600
55+     = $33,820

Asia
Average income in US $
18-24 = insignificant response
25-34 = $29,864	High = $50,000	Low = $4,200
35-44 = $71,12	High = $120,000	Low = $20,000
45-54 = $95,111	High = $158,500	Low = $20,000
55+    = insignificant response

Our complete survey results will be forwarded to all those who participated in the survey; no names will be included as this information is confidential. We will then prepare a simple booklet outlining what we’ve found in numerical results as well as charts and graphs. The booklet will be offered as a downloadable pdf online.